PSAT/NMSQT*

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The PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is a multiple-choice standardized test administered by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It provides practice for the SAT Reasoning Test, and for eleventh graders, a chance to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship. It does not have a direct bearing on your SAT score and your PSAT score will not be shared with any college.

The PSAT/NMSQT is offered in October of each year at participating high schools. Registration must be made through the local high school. The PSAT is not administered at test centers and online registration is not available. The test can be taken by tenth or eleventh graders.

Structure

The test is composed of three sections: Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing, and takes two hours and ten minutes to complete. Each of the three sections is scored on a scale of 20 to 80 points, which add up to a maximum composite score of 240 points. Unlike the SAT, the PSAT does not include higher-level mathematics (concepts from Algebra II) or an essay in its writing section.

**Average Scores are for eleventh graders .

Like the SAT, most of the questions on the PSAT are multiple-choice. The Critical Reading section contains 13 Sentence Completion and 35 Critical Reading questions. The Math section contains 28 multiple-choice and 10 grid-ins (student-produced answers). The Writing section contains 14 Sentence Errors, 20 Improving Sentences and 5 Improving Paragraph questions.

Scoring and Scholarship Qualification

The sum of the three scores is known as the Selection Index, and is used for qualification in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The minimum Selection Index for recognition as a National Merit Semifinalist is determined by your total score (Selection Index) and your Selection Unit (your location - each State, 3 other geographic units and a number of geographical boarding school regions). The cutoff is set by whatever score yields about the 99th percentile in your Selection Unit. Because the percentile is dependent upon the number of students taking the test within a Selection Unit and how well those students did on the test, the cutoff score will vary from year-to-year and from Selection Unit to Selection Unit.

Students not recognized as Semifinalists, but whose Selection Index is above the 96th percentile, are recognized as Commended Students and receive Letters of Commendation. While these students do not compete for a National Merit Scholarship, they can become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

For more information on the National Merit Scholarship Program, please visit the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website.

Preparing

The College Board states, "Spending your school years taking challenging academic courses and reading widely is the best way to get ready for the PSAT/NMSQT." This is absolutely true; however, many students like to do a little extra preparation to make sure they are comfortable with the test and to brush up on some sections they may be weak on.

The number of companies offering PSAT preparation is less than those offering SAT Test Prep courses; however, we've identified two that we think you should consider.

ePrep

ePrep offers an innovative way to prepare for the PSAT - online videos. Instead of being told how to answer a problem, ePrep shows you. ePrep also offers adaptive diagnostics and personalized feedback. We encourage you to give them a try.

Kaplan

Kaplan offers a complete set of first-rate training options for the PSAT. Whether you want to study online, take a classroom course or even hire a private tutor, Kaplan has the program to help you score higher.

Please note: We are members of the affiliate programs for Kaplan and ePrep. All links to their products include our affiliate id.

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